Automatic musical instrument.



No. 893,280. PATENTED JULY 14, 1908.

s. A. SWANSON.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9, 1906.

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No- 893,280. PATBNTED JULY 14, 1908. S. A. SWANSON.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9. 1906.

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at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of UNIT D STATES- PATENT oninon.

SELVIYOR A. SWANSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SAMUEL TER, OF MARIETTA, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application filed November 9, 1906.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I SELVIYOR A. SwAN- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Musical Instruments, of which the following is a de scription. 7 My invention relates to means connected to a musical instrument of the Xylophone type for playing the same, the operation of the laying mechanism being preferably con trol ed by a moving strip of paper or the like provided with perforations, or projections, the size, form, and arrangement, of which control the operation of the playing mechan- The object of my invention is to produce a playerof the kind described, especially one in which the strike or action is suitable for operating directly upon the sound producing members of the musical instrument.

In the accompanying drawin s wherein like reference characters indicate ike or correspondin parts; Figure 1 is a section taken substantially on line 11 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially on line 2.2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section taken substan tially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4. is a plan view of that part of my device shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are details showing modified forms of connecting mechanism between the hammers and hammer actuating mechanism.

\ In the preferred form of my deviceshown in the drawings, 1 is a musical instrument of any suitable kind preferably of the xylophone type), in which 2 is the sounding board, 33 the plates for producing the-musical tones, 44 the bars for supporting the lates, and 5-5 are partitions, extending rom the sounding board 2 upward between the several plates so that each plate is provided with an individual sound box. A plurality of hammers or strikers 6 are provided, one for each plate, suitably mounted upon a convenient portion of my device and so ositioned that when operated the blows dellvered to the plates will produce the most satisfactory tones. In the form shown each hammer is connected by a stem or shank 7 to a head 8 pivotally mounted at 9, a partial rotation of the head upon its pivotal support roducing the desired movement 0 the ammer.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 14, 1908.

Serial No. 342,603.

Any suitable means may be employed to produce the desired movement of the heads 8 to operate the hammers. shown each head 8 is extended as at 10 and connected by means of a rod 11 to a suitable bellows pneumatic 12 which may be connected to any suitable operating means.

In instruments of the Xylophone type each musical tone is produced by a shar blow of a hammer upon one of the various-p ates, the hammer being immediately retracted from the plate to prevent deadening the sound and ordinarily the retractive actionof a bellows pneumatic is not quick enough for the purpose. To remedy this difficulty an adjusting screw 14 or other suitable means is rovided to limitthe operative movement 0 the bellows 12 so that the hammer 6 will not be positively forced into contact with the plates S. POR- In the form and its bellows 12 to allow the momentum of the parts to carry the hammer forward to strike the plate a satisfactory blow, when the operative movement of the bellows is sufficiently rapid, and instantly retract the hammer from the plate sufficiently to prevent any deadening of the tone.

Any suitab e means may be employed to provide an absolutely rigid connection whereby the bellows 12 will move the hamme'rs6 intheir striking or operative direction, with resilient means to retract the hammer from the object struck thereby. In the form shown in Fig. 1 an extension 15 is provided upon the movable side of the bellows 12 and the rod 11 is pivotally attached thereto near the extremities of both. The opposite end of the rod 11 is merely squared or otherwise formed to engage a shoulder 16 upon the extremity of the extension 10 of the head 8, a piece of felt, rubber, or other suitable slightly resilient material 17 being interposed to slightly aid in the resilience of the action and deaden any noise which might otherwise be produced by the'contact between the end of the rod 11 and shoulder 16. A screw 18 extends longitudinally of, and is attached to the end of, the rod 11 and by extending through a suitable slot or opening in the face of the shoulder serves to prevent accidental displacement of the parts; the length of the screw being sumcient to receive the spring 19 its head and the back of the exten sion 10 thus resiliently holding the shoulder 16 iirmly against the end of the rod 11 but :?*--.i"ll1'1f f sutlicient movement therebetween to allow the operation of the hammer as hereinbefore described the retractive action of the spring being controlled by the J ;...-.nu-i1t of the screw 18.

1n the form shown in Fig. 6 the parts are formed substantially as heretofore described e cept that the spring 19 is omitted and a spring 20 is provided extending from a point 21 upon the rod 11 to a screweye 22 on the extension to retract the hammer 6 and retain the shoulder 16 in its normal relation to the rod 11. V

In the form shown in Fig. 7 the head 8 and extension are positively connected by I the rod 11 with no provision for resilient movement between them. In this form the hammer 6 is mounted u on a spring 23 and a bar 24 extends along t e upper side of the sprin 23 to impart the desired positive striking movement to the hammer 6 while providing for the resilient return movement and preventing a possible tendency of the hammer to continue vibrating after each stroke. In this form a piece of felt, rubber or other cushioning material 17 is positioned between the spring 23 and bar 24 to deaden any sound which might otherwise be caused at this point.

In the form shown in Fig. 5 the rod connccting the head 8 and bellows 12 is formed of two similar parts 25 and 26 resiliently connected by a helical spring 27 attached to each part and of suitable size to operate as a sliding tubular connection common to both, to retain their respective ends in position to abut to produce the desired positive striking movement and by its connection also resiliently connecting the parts of the rod to retract the hammer after each stroke.

Obviously each of the forms above described will produce the hammer action desired with more or less satisfactory results but the form shown in Fig. 5, has proved to be especially satisfactory in actual operation.

Any suitable mechanism may be employed to operate the bellows pneumatics 12. In the form shown each bellows 12 is connected to a channel 28 by a port 29 controlled by a valve 30 and having an opening to the atmosphere 31. The channel 28 is connected by means of a tube 32 to an equalizing reservoir 33 which in turn is in communication with a pair of exhausters 3434 by way of the openings 3535 to each exhauster. Similar openings 3636 areprovided in each exhauster communicating with the atmosphere, and suitable flap valves 37 and 38 are provided for the two series of openings respectively, so positioned and arranged that at each operation of the ex- .through the duct 51 to the c hausters, which operate substantially the same as a bellows, the air is partially exhausted from the reservoir 33 and the tubes.

etc., communicating therewith. A spring 39 is provided between the walls of the reservoir 33 to tend to equalize the pressure in the reservoir between the suction movements of the exhausters. A spring actuated valve 40 is mounted upon one wall of the reservoir and adapted to be operated by the pin 41 to serve as a safety valve and prevent the too complete exhaustion of the air from within the reservoir.

Any suitable means may be employed to operate the exhausters 34. In the form shown a suitable motor 42 is provided the shaft of which is connected by means of the gears 48 and 44 to the shaft 45 mounted in suitable bearings in the frame of the machine. A pair of eccentrics 46 46 are mounted upon the shaft 45 each connected by a yoke 47 and a stem 48 adjustably attached to the yoke, to one of the exhausters 34 at 49; the eccentrics being preferably so positioned upon the shaft 45 that the exhausters operate alternately.

The operation of the bellows pneumatic may be controlled in any satisfactory manner. In the form shown a chamber 50 is provided at the bottom of the channel 28 for each of the ports 29. A duct 51 extends from the chamber 50 to a tracker or mouth piece 52 where each duct terminates in a small preferably rectangular o ening 58. A flexible d'ia hragm53 is rovid ed to separate each chamber 50 from t e channel 28 and a stem 54 or other suitable means is attached to the diaphragm at a point near its center and to the valve 30 and extends u ward to a guide 55 serving thus to control tl fe position of the valve 30, as well as controlling its op eration by the difference in pressure between the chamber50 and channel 28. by-pass 56 extends from the duct 51 to the channel 28 and is provided with a valve 57 or other suitable means for controlling the passage of air therethrough.

The operation of this ortion of the device is preferably controlled y a strip of paper or similar material 59 provided with perforations arranged to register with the openings 58 as the paper is moved across the mouth piece. With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1 the bellows pneumatlcs 12' are open to the atmosphere through the ports 29 and o ening 31. The pressure in the channel 28, cfiamber 50 duct 51 and all other arts open to them is considerably reduced, tiie body of the paper 59 covering and closing ings 58, any slight leakage being cared for by the by-pass 56. As soon as an opening in the aper registers with one of the openings 58 t e air at atmospheric ressure rushes amber 50 thus chamber over increasing the pressure in the the openthat in the channel 28 and forcing the diaphragm 53 toward the channel 28 and raising the valve until it closes the opening 31 thus closing the port 29 to the atmosphere and opening the port to the channel 28 which instantly reduces the pressure in that articular port and bellows causing the bel ows to operate. As soon as the 0 enin 58 is again closed the pressure is equa ized t rough the by-pass 56iand the diaphragm and valve 30 resume the position shown in ,the drawings, in so doing opening communication between the .port 29 and opening 31 permitting the springs 60-60 to restore the bellows pneumatic and connected parts to their normal position.

Any desired means may be employed to control the movement of the paper 59. In the formshown the paper 59 first passes through a pair of guide rollers 61, 62 mounted in suitable journals in the bracket 63 thence across the mouth piece 52 to the driving rollers 6465 arranged to engage the paper between them and thus drive the same at a uniform speed the position of the rollers being such that the paper is drawn tightly across the mouth piece 52 while passing from one air of rollers to the other.

.disk 67 and wheel T e driving rollers are shown rotatably mounted in a bracket 66 with the shaft of the roller 64 extended beyond the bracket at one end upon which is mounted a disk 67. A

shaft 68 is rotatably connected with the shaft 45 by means of the gears 69 and is rigidly su ported in the bearings 7070 with one'en positioned opposite to, and parallel with the face of the disk. A friction wheel 71 is rotatively mounted upon the shaft 68 but longitudinallymovable thereon, of suitable diameter to extend to and frictionall elrliga e the face of the disk 67 so that, with t e s moving the point of engagement between the the center of the disk the speed of the rollers .ma be increased or -decreased as desired.

11 the drawing an arm 72 ismounted u on a vertically movable shaft 73 mounts in suitable bearings 74-74 suitable means being (provided to lockthe shaft 73 inany desire screw 75 uponone of the bearings. The free end of the arm 72 engages a groove 76 formed in the hub of the frictionwheel 71 thus controllin I operation of my device.

drawin s only the preferred form of my device is described and shown and it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in my device without departing from the spirit of my invention, hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself i to the exact form or construction shown.

aft 68 rotating at a'constant speed, by

toward, or away from position as for example the thumb-- the position of the wheel Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the kind described, a hammer and means for automatically actuating the same, in combination with means connecting said hammer and'said actuating mechanism, comprising a rigid member positioned between a part connected to said actuating mechanism, and resilient means arranged to draw. said parts toward each other thereb providing a rigid member for moving said Iiammer in one direction and resilient means for moving the hammer in the opposite direction.

,2. In a device of'the kind described, a hammer, and means for automatically actuating the same, in combination with means connecting said hammer and said actuating mechanism comprisin a part connected to said hammer, a mova le part 'upon said actuating mechanism, a rigid memberwpivotallyattached to said ranged to control the minimum distance between said parts, and resilient means arranged to normally hold said first mentioned part in contact with said member, thereby roviding a rigid member for moving said ammer n one direction and resilient means for rnoving the hammersin the opposite directlon. 7

3. In a device of the kind described, a pivotally mounted hammer, and means for automatically actuating the same,'in combination with means connecting said hammer and said actuating mechanism, comprising a part connected to said hammer, a movable part upon said actuating mechanism, a rigid member pivotally attached to said movable part and arranged to control the minimum distance between said parts, and resilient means arran ed to normally hold said first mentione part in contact with said member, thereby providing a rigid member for moving said hammer in one direction and resilient means for moving the hammer in the opposite direction.

4. In a device of the kind described, a

ating the same, in combination with means connecting said hammer, and said actuating mechanism, comprising a part connected to said hammer, a movable part upon said actioned between and loose yconnecting said parts, and controlling the minimum distance 5. In a device of the kind described, a

movable part and artuating mechanism, a rigid member posihammer and a movable part attached to said hammer, and means for automatically actuetween them, and resilient means arranged hammer, and means for automatically actuating the same, in combination with means for connecting said hammer and said actuating mechanism, comprising a part connected to said hammer, a movable art upon said actuating mechanism, a rigid member positioned between and pivotally connected to one of said parts and loosely connected to the other and controlling the minimum distance between them, and resilient means arranged to hold said loosely connected part in contact with said member, thereby providing a rigid member for moving said hammer in one direction and resilient means for moving the hammer in the opposite direction.

6. In a device of the kind described, a hammer, and means for automatically actuating the same, in combination with means connecting said hammerto said actuating mechanism, comprising a part connected to said hammer, a movable part upon said actuating mechanism, a rigid member positioned between and pivotally connected to one of said parts and loosely connected to the other and controlling the minimum distance between them, and resilient means connecting said member to said loosely connected part, arranged to normally hold said part in contact with said member, thereby providing a rigid member for moving said hammer in one direction andresilient means for moving the hammer in the opposite direction.

7. In a device of the kind described, a pivotally mounted hammer, and means for automatically actuating the same, in combina tion with means connecting said hammer and said actuating mechanism, comprising a part connected to said hammer, a movable part upon said'actuating mechanism, a rigid memher positioned between and loosely connecting said parts and controlling the minimum distance between them, and resilient means arranged to normally hold said first mentioned part in contact with said member thereby providing a rigid member for moving saidhammer in one direction and resilient means for moving the hammer in the opposite direction.

8. In a self playing musical instrument, a plurality of hammers and means for automatically actuating the same, in combination with means for connecting each hammer to its actuating mechanism, comprising a two part bar, resilient means connecting said parts and maintaining the same in alinement and in contact with each other, thereby forming a ri id member for moving said hammer in one irection and a resilient memher for moving the hammer in the opposite direction.

t). In a self playing musical instrument, a lurality of hammers and automatic means lbr independently actuating the same, in combination with means for connecting each hammer to its actuating mechanism,com prising a two part bar with one part con; nected to the actuating mechanism and'the other to the hammer mechanism, resilient means connecting said Wand maintaining the same in alinement,

10. In a self playing musical instrument, a

plurality of pivotally mounted hammers and automatic means" for independently operat ing each hammer, in combination with means for connecting each hammer to its actuating mechanism, comprising a two part bar with one part connected to the actuating mechanism and the other part to the hammer mechanism, resilient means connecting said parts and maintaining the same in alin 'ement.

'11. In a device of the kind described, a plurality of hammers, and a bellows pneumatic for operating each hammer, in combination with means for connecting each hammer to its articular pneumatic, com )rising a two part bar with one part connected to the pneumatic and the other to the hammer mechanism, resilient means connecting said parts and maintaining the same in alinement.

12. In a device of the kind described, a pivotally mounted hammer and means for automatically actuating the same, in combination with means connecting said hammer and said actuating mechanism, comprising a part connected to said hammer, a'movable part upon said actuating mechanism, a rigid member ositioned between and pivotally COIIHGCtGt to one of said parts and loosely connected to the other, and controlling the minimum distance between said parts, and resilient means connecting said member to said loosely connected part and arranged to normally hold said part in contact with said member thereby providing a rigid member for moving said hammer in one direction and resilient means for moving the hammer in the op osite direction.

n testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses:

SELVIYOR A. Swanson.-

Witnesses:

BURTON U. HILLS, CHARLES I. COBB. 

